While the Senators are also listening to teams that have shown interest, the reality is they’d rather Pageau, who would become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, stay here, and that’s why the organization is working hard to keep him in the fold. The belief is Pageau wants to be here and now the two sides need to find common ground to get a deal in place.

After sitting winger Vladislav Namestnikov, presumably at the request of a team that’s interested in his services, for Thursday night’s 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Pageau was in his spot as the No. 1 centre during Friday’s skate at the Canadian Tire Centre. The expectation is he’ll play Saturday night at home against the Montreal Canadiens unless the situation takes a dramatic turn.

There are no guarantees Pageau will be in Ottawa after the deadline, but both sides are working hard to try to find a solution. He’s not going to be the top pivot down the road, but he’s got a strong role here and can help this team when the Senators are improved with the young prospects they’ll bring in over the course of the next couple of seasons.

If talks break down completely, then Dorion will likely listen more intently to interest from the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers, but at this point we’ll have to wait how this all plays out.

MAKING IMPROVEMENTS

Slowly but surely, Anders Nilsson is inching closer to a return from a concussion he suffered in mid-December.

The veteran goaltender was on the ice Friday for the third straight day with the team, and while there’s no timetable for him to play again, he’s feeling much better. This hasn’t been an easy road.

“We’re still taking it day-by-day, but luckily I’m feeling a lot better and I’m really excited I’ve been able to join the team,” said Nilsson.

He admitted this hasn’t been easy.

“It’s been up and down,” Nilsson said. “It’s my first concussion, but it’s been a process. I’ve had great support from the whole organization and my family. The last month here has been good. I’ve been improving every day, especially the last three days here, and it’s been great to join the team.

“We haven’t set up a timetable yet (for playing), but hopefully it’s not too far away. We’ll see. We’re just going day-by-day. I’m feeling good so we’ll see when that day comes. It’s also a matter of getting my feel back on the ice. It’s been almost two months since I had a full team practice so it’s been good to get into the rhythm again and see different plays and get the timing and all that stuff back.”

The Senators have been cautious with Nilsson and have made sure all the steps are taken at the right time.

OFF TO THE MOTOR CITY

The Senators were hoping to send Cody Goloubef to their AHL affiliate in Belleville to be part of the club’s run to the playoffs in the spring.

He won’t be getting the chance.

The Senators tried to slip Goloubef through waivers Friday, but he was picked up by the last-place Detroit Red Wings, who need some help down the stretch.

“It’s unfortunate for us. We wanted him to play up here and then go down there and help them with the minor-league team to win a championship,” said Smith. “But it’s great for him. He gets another opportunity to stay in the NHL and that’s what it’s all about.

“I talked to him this summer. When he signed here, he was debating about going to Europe and it reminded me of my situation (as a player) where I was always going up and down, and I said we’d give him a legitimate look. To his credit, he came and he made the team.”

The Senators will have to recall a defenceman to face the Habs because Mark Borowiecki was placed on injured-reserve Friday because of a high-ankle sprain.

THE LAST WORDS

Winger Scott Sabourin was forced to pay the price for squirting Winnipeg centre Mark Scheifele with a water bottle Thursday night.

He was fined $1,881.72 after receiving a 10-minute misconduct for the incident near the Ottawa bench with 11 minutes left in the club’s loss to the Jets.

Smith said he hadn’t spoken to Sabourin about the incident, but would have a discussion before the club faces the Canadiens.

“I didn’t see it while it happened and the league ruled on what they did, and I haven’t talked to him about it,” said Smith. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow. For him, you get down to the Dollar Store and you can get a water gun for two bucks. It looks like it’s a little more expensive for him to play with the Gatorade water gun.

“We’re going to talk to him about it, but I’m sure he’d like to have it back, but you make mistakes and you move on.”

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